Former silver medalist of Asian Games Bangladesh Men's Kabaddi team made a flying start in the 19th Asian Games Kabaddi outplaying Japan by 52-17 points in Group A opener at Court-1 of the Xiaoshan Guali Sports Center in Hangzhou on Monday.
Bangladesh Men's team comfortably dominated the first half by 25-5 points.
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Tuhin Tarafder-led Bangladesh team earned the victory dominating the match all through and earned four creditable lonas (all out), two in each half.
Bangladesh men's team have been placed in five-team Group A of the Asian Games Kabaddi earlier with India, Chinese Taipei, Japan and Thailand while four- team Group B comprises Iran, South Korea, Pakistan and Malaysia
.In the remaining Group A matches, Bangladesh will play their giant neighbor India on Tuesday also at 6:30 am, Chinese Taipei on Wednesday at 7:30 am and Thailand on Thursday at 1 pm at the same venue.
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Top two teams from each of the two groups will play the semifinal on Oct 6 while the final match will be held on Oct 7 at 2 pm.
But, the Bangladesh Women's Kabaddi team spoiled a golden opportunity to win a bronze medal losing to their South Asian rivals Nepal by 24-37 points in the opening Group B match of the Asian Games held at court -2 of the same venue on Monday.
Bangladesh Women were trailing by 16-21 points in the first half.
Bangladesh Women's team put in three-team Group B of the Asian Games with Iran and Nepal while four- team Group A team consists of India, Chinese Taipei, South Korea and Thailand.
A win in the day's match will assure the semifinal berth of Bangladesh women to clinch the bronze medal as the top two teams of the group will advance to the semifinal.
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With day's frustrating result, Bangladesh Women's Kabaddi team are almost deprived of a medal in a prospective event like the last Asian Games.
Bangladesh Kabaddi team, which bring laurels for the country by winning Asian Games medal regularly since Beijing Asian Games in 1990, now facing medal drought in the Asiad and Bangladesh failed to win any medal in the last Asian Games in Jakarta.
However, Bangladesh Women's will play defending champions Iran on Wednesday at 8:30 pm in the remaining Group B match to decide their fate.